Signal



(No Mode-1Q) L M. B. MILLS L W. HLNLLY.

SIGNAL. No. 323,949. vLmfmted Aug. 11, 183,5...l

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORTIMER B. MILLS AND VILLIAM HANLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,949, dated August 11, 1885.

Application filed Juno 23, 1884. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MORTIMER B. MILLSl and WILLIAM HANLEY, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have i11- vented a new and useful Improvement in Signals for Railway and other Purposes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of our invention is to give signals at short and long distances by means of the mechanism and atmospheric air or other iiuid, as herein specified and fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l shows piston cin cylinder A down, and piston c in cylinder C extended to its full limit outward and the signal I set. Fig. 2 shows piston a in cylinderA up and the piston c in cylinder C changed from its full limit outward to its full limit inward, and by such change shaft G, with signals thereon, moves over an arc of a circle about ninetyr degrees, reversing signal I, as shown in Fig. l.

A is a cylinder open at one' end, closely tted with a piston and rod, c, and piston without valves, and the other end closed, except an orifice to admit of a small pipe-connection.

B is an air-tight pipe of small diameter, connecting at the bottom of cylinder A and leading to and connecting with the inner end of cylinder C. Said cylinder C, with piston c, is constructed practically air-tight and without valves, thusformin g an air-tight compartment, filled with air or other iiuid, and extending from cylinder A to cylinder C.

c is the piston-rod of cylinder C, and has a pivoted joint d, the upper end of which is pivotally connected with a crank, (or arm,) F, at right angles with anupright shaft, G, which crank F is firmly fastened to shaft G.

Gr is a shaft which moves upon a vertical pivot at its lower end.

H is a square lamp, with alternate colored faces and firmly secured to shaft Gr.

I is a painted disk rmly fastened to shaft G above the lamp H.

K is a brace to support and keep shaft G in position. i

L is a tube to protect shaft G, in which tube shaft Cr moves freely.

m m m is a frame to inclose and cover the operating apparatus.

O and O are pipes, with valves P and P at their upper end, to admit air into cylinder A and pipe B, or to exclude air from cylinder A and pipe B, at the will of the operator.

q and gf are rods, with taps or valves R and R', attached to their lower ends to control the direction of signals.

When it is desired to have an apparatus constructed for signaling in opposite directions, Figs. 1 and 2 show such an apparatus complete, with the exception of duplicate cylinder C and piston c, and l. and mechanism whereby said piston c and shaft G are connected.

When it is desired' to have an apparatus for signaling in one direction only, the rods q and q ,with valves R and B',also the pipe O', with its valve P', can be dispensed with. The aforesaid cylinder C and piston-rod c, with pivoted joint d, together with crank F, are practically constructed not to admit of a greater rotatory motion of shaft G than ninety degrees of an are of a circle by a forward and backward movement of piston in cylinder C, said cylinder C not exceeding half the dimensions of the aforesaid cylinder A.

The operation of our invention is as follows: The operator takes hold of the piston-rod a, and raises the piston in cylinder A, which causes the air within pipe B and cylinder C to rush into cylinder A, producing a partial vacuum in pipe B and cylinder C, causing the piston in cylinder C to be pulled in an inward direction, effecting a corresponding movement of mechanism connecting signal-shaft Gr with the piston ofcylinder C, and a consequent movement of shaftG and signals H and I on an arc of a circle about ninety degrees, resulting in change of signals, according to design. To change or reverse signal, the operator takes hold of piston-rod a in cylinder A While at its limit in an upward direction and pushes it downward, thus forcing the air in cylinder A and pipe B into cylinder C, which pushes the piston in cylinder C outward, producing corresponding motion of the mechanism connecting signal-shaft Gr and the signals thereon,-

causing said shaft G and the signals H and I to revolve about ninety degrees of an arc of a circle, resulting in a reversal of signal. In operating at long distances it might require more than one stroke of the piston in cylinder shaft G, with signals Hv IOO A to eii'ect a complete movement of cylinder C and 'signal-shaft G; hence by opening` the valve P in pipe O, and raising or lowering the piston in cylinder A, additional force can be obtained and used in the direction required to Wit, if additional force isl needed to pull the piston in cylinder C in an inward direction after the piston in cylinder A has been raised to its limit, open the valve P in pipe 0, push down the piston in cylinder A, then immediately close the valve P and quickly raise the piston in cylinder A to its full limit, and repeat, if needed.

For the purpose of procuring additional force to push the piston in cylinder C in an outward direction after the piston in cylinder A has been pushed to ils limit downward, open the valve P in pipe (),raise piston in cylinder A, and immediately close the valve P,

then quickly push down the piston in cylinder A to its full limit, and so Yrepeat until the desired effect is produced.

When it is desired to signal in opposite di rections from the same operating-post, use the rods q and q', to which is attached valves R and R/ to Wit, to signal south close the valve R attached to rod q', and open the valve R attached to q, and to signal north close the valve 1t and open the valve R. The operating-post can be placed in any building or place convenient to the operator, and constructed to inclose and place under lock and key the operating apparatus. Signals can be given with equal facility at right angles, around curves, with pipe above or underl ground. It is serviceable, prooi' against all kinds of' weather and in all seasons ot' the year. Signals can be `given from one operating-post in numerous directions by connecting` cylinder A with the requisite mechanism, as hereinbefore fully described and set forth.

Having thus described our invention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. The combination of a cylinder and piston at an operating-post, a pipe connecting with said cylinder and leading to a cylinder and piston of less dimensions, a pipe with a valve at its upper end, and at its lower end connected with the pipe communicating With the two cylinders, and mechanism, substantially as described, connecting the piston of small cylinder with a revolving shaft containing sig nais to operate a reciprocating to-andi'ro 1n ovement by atmospheric or fluid pressure, all substantially in and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of cylinder A and piston a, pipe B, cylinder C, and piston @,jointed rod d, pivot e, crank F, shaft G, signals H and I, pipes O and 0', valves P and P', rods q and g', and valves R and R, all being constructed substantially as hereinbefore described, to operate signals in any direction7 as substantially set forth.

In testimony wherot' we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

MORTIMER B. MILLS. VILLIAM HANLEY. itnesses JOHN H. Gorus, E. R. STEINHILBER. 

